In a recent gathering of Black conservatives, former President Donald Trump suggested that his multiple criminal indictments and widely circulated mug shot resonate with Black voters. He claimed that they see parallels between his experiences and their own.
“I’ve been indicted multiple times for what I consider to be non-issues. Some people believe this is why I have a strong following among Black voters. They’ve experienced discrimination and hardship, and they see me going through similar challenges,” Trump stated. The former president currently faces 91 criminal charges across various cases.
Addressing the crowd at a gala hosted by the Black Conservative Federation, Trump said, “Black conservatives understand better than most the harm that can come from corrupt systems that target and subjugate others, denying them their freedom and rights. I believe this understanding is why I have such strong support from the Black community.”
Trump also claimed that his mug shot has been particularly embraced by Black Americans. “The Black population has shown incredible support. You see Black people wearing shirts with my mug shot,” he said.
However, Betsy Ankney, campaign manager for Nikki Haley, the last major rival to Trump in the GOP presidential primary, expressed a different view. “Trump’s indictment remarks highlight why Americans do not want a Trump-Biden rematch. It’s just more chaos, drama, and baggage,” she said in an interview with CNN’s Laura Coates.
Despite trailing Trump in pre-primary polling in her home state, Haley has vowed to stay in the race past the South Carolina primary and through Super Tuesday on March 5.
During his speech, Trump, who has a history of using racially charged language, criticized President Joe Biden, accusing him of being a “vicious racist.” He attacked Biden over the 1994 crime bill and his past work with segregationist senators.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Jasmine Harris, the Black media director for the Biden campaign, labeled the former president as “an incompetent, anti-Black tyrant.” She referenced Trump’s meeting with a White nationalist shortly after announcing his 2024 candidacy and his role in promoting the “birtherism” conspiracy theory against former President Barack Obama.
“No matter how many disingenuous voter engagement events he attends, Black Americans will show Donald Trump we know exactly who he is come November,” Harris said.
Trump also made a controversial comment about only being able to see the Black attendees in the dark room where the gala was held. “These lights are so bright in my eyes that I can’t see too many people out there. But I can only see the Black ones, I can’t see any White ones, you see, that’s how far I’ve come. That’s a long way, isn’t it? These lights. We’ve come a long way together,” he said as the crowd laughed.
This story has been updated with additional information. CNN’s Ebony Davis contributed to this report.